The First Year: Research Rotations & Selecting a Thesis Advisor and Program

The information outlined below is not all-inclusive. Please familiarize yourself with all of the requirements as outlined in the Student Handbook

Research Rotations and Thesis Lab Commitment

Students matriculating through the Basic Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Pathway are required to rotate in three distinct research groups.

Students matriculating through the MD-PhD pathway are required to rotate in two distinct research groups.

Students matriculating through the Population Health Sciences, Millennium, or MS in Clinical Investigation pathways do not perform research rotations.

Students who worked in paid or unpaid research settings at UMass Chan Medical School prior to matriculation, including students in the PREP program, are not permitted to rotate in the lab of their previous mentor prior to the final rotation session.

The Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences provides financial support through the entirety of their first academic year for all students matriculating in the Basic Biomedical Sciences Umbrella and Population Health Sciences Pathways, and for the first two years for students matriculating in the MD-PhD pathway, regardless of when a student commits to a thesis research group.

Thesis Research Commitment forms are due after completion of the final rotation.

Tips for Finding Research Rotations

• Search the rotation database. Faculty listed have self-identified as having rotation opportunities and thesis funding available.
• Attend faculty flash talks organized by the Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
• Having tentatively identified a potential rotation/thesis advisor and after reading some of their publications, ask to meet with them to discuss thesis research opportunities. When you meet, be prepared to discuss their science, the science you have undertaken thus far and the courses you have taken.
• Speak with other students in the faculty member's team to understand more about the research environment you would be immersed in for the next several years.
• Remember that First Year Advisors and Program Directors are available to advise you about rotation and thesis mentors.

Selecting your Program

Program Selection forms (BBS15) are due by June 1.

All Basic Biomedical Science students must complete the core curriculum as well as three graded elective courses of 2-4 credits each, including those required by their program for specialization.
View course sequence for Basic Biomedical Science doctoral students.

Program Specialization Requirements

For guidance on program requirements or expectations, please review individual program webpages or contact the appropriate program director(s).

Administrative Requirements

Students must initiate a Research Rotation Agreement (BBS14) for each research rotation. The agreement automatically circulates to all required signers after the student completes their portion. It is due within 2 weeks of the rotation start date.
Preview BBS14  |  Initiate BBS14 in DocuSign

Students must initiate a Thesis Advisor and Department Financial Agreement (BBS05) once a Thesis Advisor has been selected. The agreement automatically circulates to all required signers after the student completes their portion. 
Preview BBS05  |  Initiate BBS05 in DocuSign 

Students must initiate a Program Selection form (BBS15) by June 1 of year one. The form automatically circulates to all required signers after the student completes their portion. 
Preview BBS15  |  Initiate BBS15 in DocuSign